TEST CODE 01219020

FORM TP 2009067 MAY/JUNE 2009

C A RIBBE AN E XA M I NA T I O N S C O U N CIL
SECONDARY EDUCATION CE RTIFICAT E
EXAMINATION
ENGLISHB

Paper 02 - General Proficiency

2 hours

(13 M AY 2009 (a.m.))

In addition to the 2 hours allowed for the examination, you are

allowed 10 minutes in order to read through the entire paper.

You may write during the 10-minute period.

This paper consists of TEN questions, arranged in three sections as follows:

SECTION A: DRAMA

Questions 1 and 2: Shakespeare

Questions 3 and 4: Modern Drama

SECTION B: POETRY

Questions 5 and 6

SECTION C: PROSE FICTION

Questions 7 to 10

ANSWER THREE QUESTIONS, ONE QUESTION FROM EACH SECTION.

EACH QUESTION IS WORTH A TOTAL OF 35 MARKS.

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DO NOT TURN THIS PAGE UNTIL YOU ARE TOLD TO DO SO .
....... Copyright © 2007 Caribbean Examinations Council ®
All rights reserved.

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For each question in Sections A, B and C, in addition to the 25 marks indicated for content and
argument, a maximum of 10 marks is also allocated for structure, development and competence in
the mechanics of writing.

You are expected to write in the ESSAY format and develop all your responses fully.

You are advised to read all instructions carefully before starting to write.

Answer ONE question in this section.

THE MERCHANT OF VENICE - William Shakespeare

EITHER

1. In Act 4 Scene 1 of The Merchant of Venice, Portia, disguised as a Venetian lawyer, undertakes
Antonio's defence.

(a) (i) What is the charge that Shylock brings against Antonio? (3 marks)

(ii) What are the legal issues, raised by Portia, that cause problems for Shylock?
(3 marks)

(b) (i) Explain the punishment and the mercy that Shylock receives. (8 marks)

(ii) Give ONE reason why the Venetian court considers these to be right.
(2 marks)

(c) Discuss THREE aspects of this scene that are ironic. (9 marks)

OR

2. Many of the play's moral issues revolve around Portia.

(a) Discuss TWO moral lessons learned by E ACH of the following from the encounter with
Portia:

(i) the suitors - in the choice of casket (6 marks)

(ii) Shylock - at the trial (6 marks)

(iii) Bassanio - regarding the ring (6 marks)

(b) How does Shakespeare show us that Portia has moral weaknesses? Illustrate your answer
with examples from the play. (7 marks)

GO ON TO THE NEXT PAGE

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FENCES - August Wilson

EITHER

3. The final scene of the play is the day of Troy's funeral.

( a) Describe what happens in this scene. (7 marks)

(b) Show how in this scene Wilson heightens the audience's feelings of sadness and regret.
(9 marks)

(c) How does Wilson use this scene to suggest a feeling of compassion and hope among
Troy's family members? (9 marks)

OR

4. There is much friction in this play between Cory and Troy.

( a) What are Troy's failings as a father from Cory's point of view? (9 marks)

(b) What evidence do we have that Troy does a better job of parenting than his own father?
(6 marks)

(c) In what ways does Troy fail to build "fences" in his family relationships, and what dramatic
device is used to bring this failure to our attention? (10 marks)

GO ON TO THE NEXT PAGE

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SECTION B - POETRY

Answer ONE question in this section.

EITHER

5. "To an Athlete Dying Young" and "The Lynching" are both poems about a young man's death.

(a) Briefly outline the situation described in EACH poem. (6 marks)

(b) Compare, with evidence, the relationship that the crowd in the TWO poems has with the
person who has died. (8 marks)

(c) (i ) Compare the speakers' attitude to the death in the two poems. (3 marks)

(ii) Discuss ONE device that EACH poet uses to bring this attitude across to the
reader. (8 marks)

OR

6. From the prescribed list of poems that you have studied, choose TWO that explore the nature of
power.

(a) For EACH poem outline the situation in which power is demonstrated. (8 marks)

( b) Compare the speakers' response to the power that is demonstrated. (9 marks)

(c ) Identify and discuss an effective device used by EACH poet to highlight the idea of
power. (8 marks)

GO ON TO THE NEXT PAGE

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SECTION C - PROSE FICTION

Answer ONE question in this section.

You MUST state the title of any books you refer to in your answer.

You should refer ONLY to the books that are on the prescribed list for this section of the examination.

EITHER

7. "Sometimes the traditions and values that societies uphold are in conflict with an individual's
potential."

Discuss how this statement applies to a MAJOR character in ONE West Indian novel and ONE
non-West Indian novel you have studied. (25 marks)

OR

8. "Writers often use the natural environment to represent peace, freedom or pain ... even ten-or."

Discuss how the writer treats the natural environment in ONE West Indian novel and ONE non­
West Indian novel you have studied. (25 marks)

OR

9. Discuss how being different from others affects a MAJOR character in ONE West Indian and
ONE non-West Indian novel you have studied. For EACH novel comment on ONE strategy that
the writer uses to present this difference. (25 marks)

OR

10. "Family is one of the most powerful influences on an individual's development."

Discuss how this statement applies to a MAJOR character in ONE West Indian novel and ONE
non-West Indian novel you have studied. (25 marks)

END OFTEST

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